Is Crawl Space Insulation Needed for Encapsulation

Is your crawl space really as energy efficient as it could be? Michael Church from Crawl Space Ninja is here to challenge common misconceptions about crawl space insulation and provide you with the facts you need. This episode cuts through the noise to debunk the myth that vapor barriers alone are enough to insulate your crawl space. Michael explains why proper insulation is essential for meeting code requirements and maintaining energy efficiency, particularly in southern regions. He also emphasizes the importance of achieving an R-value of R10 on foundation walls and R19 on subfloors, ensuring that your home remains both comfortable and energy efficient.

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Michael also guides you through the differences between insulating the foundation wall versus the subfloor, depending on whether your crawl space is encapsulated or ventilated. With his expert insights, you'll be equipped to make informed decisions about your crawl space encapsulation, avoiding costly mistakes that could compromise your home's performance. Don't miss this episode packed with critical information to help you achieve a well-sealed and insulated crawl space, ensuring a healthier and more energy-efficient home for you and your family.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, michael Church, crawl Space Ninja, continuing
that Crawl Space Misconceptionseries, and today I want to talk
to you about is insulationrequired or needed if you're
encapsulating the crawl space?
Whenever we're going out to doan inspection on a crawl space,
many times the topic ofinsulation comes up.
We like to insulate and airseal crawl spaces.

(00:21):
But some of our competition outthere in order to try to save
money to the consumer or to thehomeowner and make themselves
look better on price, is theywill completely eliminate the
need for insulation in the crawlspace, saying that the vapor
barrier becomes the insulation.
So if you've got a crawl spacecontractor or salesperson in

(00:42):
your home telling you that thevapor barrier will properly
insulate the crawl space, thatsalesperson in your home telling
you that the vapor barrier willproperly insulate the crawl
space, that just is not true.
As a matter of fact, coderequirements and the Department
of Energy requirements are,especially in the south you have
to have an R value of R10 onthe foundation wall minimum.
Hey, michael Church, here, realquick.

(01:04):
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(01:27):
to start doing a live feed sothat way you can talk directly
to me.
At the end of every month we'regoing to be featuring a live
feed, so make sure you check outthe link below for the live
feed coming up at the end ofevery month.
Or an R value of R19 in thesubfloor minimum.
So if they created those Rvalues and those minimums,

(01:50):
depending on the south and theregion that we're in, then the
vapor barrier meets neither ofthose minimums.
If you install a vapor barrieron the foundation wall, it
probably doesn't even have an Rvalue, although some may argue
it has a little bit, justbecause of its thickness.
So you want to make sure thatif you're encapsulating the
crawl space, if you're sealingthe crawl space, you can

(02:11):
insulate the foundation wall.
If you are having an open orventilated crawl space, then you
need to insulate the subfloorand we've done several videos
about why and the coderequirements for each of those
and you can check those out onour channel.
But I just want to make sureyou understand if you're going
to encapsulate the crawl space,make sure insulation is part of

(02:34):
the encapsulation.
I'm Michael Church Crawl SpaceNinja.
Hope you make it a happy andblessed day and we'll see you
later.